The Repeal of Obamacare/ACA: Step-bystep, Inch-by-inch

[wonky]

@elucidator

It is important that the correct procedures be followed, especially when you are determined to impose suffering, fear, and sickness upon millions of people.

Gotta dot those i’s and cross those t’s, otherwise you can’t spell “diphtheria” or “typhoid”!

[elucidator]

Nifty Catch-23. Blue states will lose a lot of funding for their expanded Medicaid, which will be showered upon the wise states who elected the correct Senators. So, what will “blue” states do? Most likely, they will try their best to shoulder the burden, as most of their citizens are Christian by action as well as by pretense. That will be difficult, some will fail, if not most, if not all.

Then the Pubbies can crow about how “their” policies have the better results, that Obamacare is to blame for the suffering they gleefully imposed. And roughly thirty percent of our people will swallow it whole.

[wonky]

There are three men in the health care debate I truly despise: Bill Cassidy, Tom Price, and Avik Roy. I keep hoping Avik Roy’s comments on GC will hurt the bill, and today he did a little op-ed about how the bill as it stands would help blue states set up single payer.

Please, Baby Jesus, let Avik Roy hurt Bill Cassidy’s delusions of grandeur.

I haven’t figure out how he can take down Price yet, but I think undercutting Cassidy would be so very very sweet.

[mhendo]

So, Senator Chuck Grassley basically admitted today that the most important thing about the current repeal bill is that it would help the Republicans keep their campaign promises. That’s actually as important to him, he says, as the actual substance of the bill. Here’s the money quote:

“You know, I could maybe give you 10 reasons why this bill shouldn’t be considered,” Grassley said. “But Republicans campaigned on this so often that you have a responsibility to carry out what you said in the campaign. That’s pretty much as much of a reason as the substance of the bill.”

Today’s GOP in a nutshell right there.

[wonky]

@jsgoddess

They can end the filibuster any time they choose. They don’t need a new parliamentarian.

I see now that I forgot to add:

McConnell is very reluctant to get rid of the legislative filibuster, and for good reason. He knows, even if some others in his party don’t, that the GOP won’t hold the Senate forever. So I don’t think they’ll eliminate it.

This could be wishful thinking, of course, but I think it’s accurate.

The Senate Finance committee is holding a “hearing” on Monday re: GC. They are accepting public comment, so there’s another way to get involved.

[elucidator]

If you are not currently amazed at how flexible a thing “Public comment accepted” is, you will be very soon.

[wonky]

@elucidator

If you are not currently amazed at how flexible a thing “Public comment accepted” is, you will be very soon.

It’s not likely to sway anyone, but an outpouring won’t hurt. They have set up a senate mailbox for those who want to be included in the hearing record. Contact me for more information.

[mhendo]

@jsgoddess

The Senate Finance committee is holding a “hearing” on Monday re: GC. They are accepting public comment, so there’s another way to get involved.

As far as i can tell from the Hearing page, you can only submit a statement by mail. They also say that statements must arrive “no later than two weeks following the conclusion of the hearing.”

But in order to get this through, the vote itself would have to take place before that two-week period expires. Makes the commenting procedure somewhat moot, does it not?

[wonky]

@mhendo

As far as i can tell from the Hearing page, you can only submit a statement by mail. They also say that statements must arrive “no later than two weeks following the conclusion of the hearing.”

But in order to get this through, the vote itself would have to take place before that two-week period expires. Makes the commenting procedure somewhat moot, does it not?

They are also accepting via email. I’m assuming I’m not allowed to post the email.

[Happy_Lendervedder]

@jsgoddess

They are also accepting via email. I’m assuming I’m not allowed to post the email.

I would assume if someone asked for a specific email/point of contact, you’d be allowed to post it. Unsolicited petitions are something different. I’d be interested in the email too.

[wonky]

More speculation that the waivers in GC won’t pass the Byrd bath, which means slashing funding without states getting a damned thing. This is really important!

Also, if you want to be made smarter on the whole ACA repeal issue, consider following Andy Slavitt, the former head of CMS (Medicare, Medicaid, and ACA): https://twitter.com/ASlavitt

[Leaper]

The Hill says the bill is “likely to pass”?

[Happy_Lendervedder]

@Leaper

The Hill says the bill is “likely to pass”?

Cite?

[wonky]

@Leaper

The Hill says the bill is “likely to pass”?

I just have no fucking idea, really. Right now, we don’t have any reason to think Collins will vote for it. Rand Paul says he’s a no, but I don’t trust him. Murkowski should have zero good reason to vote for it, but she’s cagey. McCain is all for regular order, but he loves him some Lindsey Graham.

[wonky]

In lieu of full legal analysis of Byrd rules, here’s a tweet storm that people with wonky inclinations could find valuable: https://twitter.com/econwonk/status/907319366005522432

Upshot: He thinks the waivers are fine this time.

[wonky]

The buyout begins: http://ijr.com/2017/09/979983-republicans-attempt-buy-murkowskis-vote-new-draft-health-care-bill/

According to the aide, here is a summary of what the new draft of the bill entails:

"This draft includes 3 separate provisions benefitting Alaska.

Alaska (along with Hawaii) will continue to receive Obamacare’s premium tax credits while they are repealed for all other states. It appears this exemption will not affect Alaska receiving its state allotment under the new block grant in addition to the premium tax credits.

Delays implementation of the Medicaid per capita caps for Alaska and Hawaii for years in which the policy would reduce their funding below what they would have received in 2020 plus CPI-M.

Provides for an increased federal Medicaid matching rate (FMAP) for both Alaska and Hawaii."

[Richard_Parker]

Stolen from Twitter:

If you want to know how great the Graham-Cassidy bill is for states, the bribe for Alaska is that THEY GET TO KEEP OBAMACARE!! - @MEPFuller

[wonky]

@Richard_Parker

Stolen from Twitter:

If you want to know how great the Graham-Cassidy bill is for states, the bribe for Alaska is that THEY GET TO KEEP OBAMACARE!! - @MEPFuller

I can’t stop laughing. It might be hysteria at this point.

[wonky]

@Richard_Parker

Stolen from Twitter:

If you want to know how great the Graham-Cassidy bill is for states, the bribe for Alaska is that THEY GET TO KEEP OBAMACARE!! - @MEPFuller

On top of everything, this quote from Lindsey Graham about previous iterations of ACA repeal will make you chuckle: x.com

Well I worry cornhusker kickbacks & Louisiana purchases & if they start doing that crap, they’re going to lose me

[Richard_Parker]

This Vox piece was also a good laugh.

Jeff Stein
But why does this bill make things better for Americans? How does it help?

Pat Roberts
Pardon me?

Jeff Stein
Why does this make things better? What is this doing?

Pat Roberts
Look, we’re in the back seat of a convertible being driven by Thelma and Louise, and we’re headed toward the canyon. That’s a movie that you’ve probably never seen —

Jeff Stein
I do know Thelma & Louise, sir.

Pat Roberts
So we have to get out of the car, and you have to have a car to get into, and this is the only car there is.

I would like to know if our local GOP Senate supporters are duly embarrassed by all of this. I suspect not.